Bindra confident of ending Dalmiya era in BCCI

New Delhi:Having agreed on a date for the annual elections, the warring factions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have begun another round of number games with Punjab Cricket Association chief I S Bindra asserting that his group "will be in power soon."

"We are sure of winning the election. We already had 20 (votes) on our side then, and now two more have joined us. There is no way we can lose. We had the majority and we still have it," Bindra said.

Bindra dismissed suggestions that Maratha strong-man Sharad Pawar, also President of Mumbai Cricket Association, is no longer interested in contesting for the President's post, a speculation which followed after he resigned from the marketing committee of the Board.

"Pawar has injected a fresh lease of life in our campaign to oust Dalmiya, who has started considering BCCI as his fiefdom," Bindra, a former Board president said.

"We will be in power soon. Dalmiya should retire gracefully. His persistence gives a negative message that he has some vested interest.

"Nobody is indispensable. Pawar will bring transparency in BCCI's functioning."

Bindra said that another issue his group would focus on was having professionals for key posts including having paid selectors.